10 Reasons Why You Should Never Visit Hopkins in Belize

August 30, 2024
by denidimchev@webohub.com +

The Belizean village of Hopkins has been repeatedly referred to as both the friendliest village in the country and the heart of culture for the nation. And while that’s absolutely true, that’s no excuse to just come visit. There are plenty of articles that will tell you why you should make Hopkins the center of your next vacation. But our job is to tell you why you shouldn’t visit. Wish us luck.

1. Seasonal Seafood

Delicacies like king conch and lobster are only available during certain parts of the year. There’s still always a wide variety of delicious seafood no matter when you choose to visit, but that will never be enough for us.

2. Handmade Souvenirs and Crafts

Hopkins Village still retains many of the traditions and customs of the Garifuna people who founded it, and that includes a traditional approach to arts and crafts. You can visit, but you’d better be ready to explain to your loved ones why you brought them back a hand-fashioned craft rather than something manufactured in a foreign factory.

3. Friendly Locals

Do you like having healthy and open interactions with other people? We don’t either. The small-town feel of Hopkins Village has led to many people characterizing it as “The Friendliest Village in Belize”. No thanks!

4. Boringly Reliable Weather

No matter when you decide to visit Belize, you can expect to find the same weather. The highs float in the mid-80s, while the lows stay in the mid-70s. Even the “green season” is a bit of a misnomer, as rain usually falls only late at night and early in the morning.

5. The World’s First Jaguar Reserve

Cockscomb Basin is only a short day trip from Hopkins Village. In addition to being a genuinely beautiful nature reserve, it’s also the first habitat designed to protect endangered jaguars. It’s unlikely you’ll even catch a glimpse of one while visiting, but we’d much rather stay away altogether, thank you very much.

6. Too Small

There are only roughly 1,500 permanent residents of Hopkins Village. That’s not what we’re looking for in a private beach retreat! Give us a crowded landscape like New York City where you never have to be alone with your thoughts!

7. Too Affordable

The American dollar goes a long way in Belize, and that applies to everything from hotels to flights to excursions. That’s bad news for anyone who directly correlates their enjoyment to the amount of money they spend.

Advertisment

8. Too Funky

If you don’t have a sense of rhythm, the unique drumming and dance of the Garifuna people might come across as strange and new. And if you’re not the type of person who likes new things, you’ll loathe the fact that they’ll be happy to teach you the ins and outs.

9. A Cultural Hotspot

Hopkins was first established by the Garifuna people, a group of Afro-Caribbeans who escaped slavery and traveled as vagabonds before settling finally in Belize. They have a critical role to play in Belize’s cultural milieu, but sometimes it’s just better to avoid new things.

10. Hard to Leave

Once you check out the gorgeous beaches and the idyllic culture of Hopkins Village, you might not want to leave. Even more dangerously, the low prices and generous terms for migrants ensure that you technically never have to. In other words, don’t come to Hopkins Village unless you’reready to fall in love.